Grabbing the popcornโฆ
Grabbing the popcornโฆ
Grabbing the popcornโฆ


Beijing, 1902: an enterprising young portrait photographer named Liu Jinglun, keen on new technology, befriends a newly-arrived Englishman who's brought projector, camera, and Lumiรจre-brothers' shorts to open the Shadow Magic theater. Liu's work with Wallace brings him conflict with tradition and his father's authority, complicated by his falling in love with Ling, daughter of Lord Tan, star of Beijing's traditional opera. Liu sees movies as his chance to become wealthy and worthy of Ling. When the Shadow Magic pair are invited to show the films to the Empress Dowager, things look good. But, is disaster in the script? And, can movies preserve tradition even as they bring change?
Directed by Ann Hu
Written by: Ann Hu, Bob McAndrew, Louyi Tang
Switch country in the top-right to check availability elsewhere.
Not streaming yet in Saudi Arabia
Drop your email and we'll send you ONE message the moment Shadow Magic is streaming on a major platform in Saudi Arabia. No spam. Cancel anytime.
While you wait
Tap any actor to see their other movies and shows.
Audience picks based on what people who watched this also enjoyed.
2006
Or switch country at the top to check availability elsewhere. Shadow Magic may be streaming in another market.

2010

2006

2010

2003

2006

1988

2011

2000

2011

2021

2011

2006

2025
1948

2025

1948

2026

2021

2024

2023

2024

2023

2019

2024

2021

2025
Streaming data byTMDB. Availability changes; links go to the streaming service.
Their other work, ranked by what audiences actually watched.
Their other work, ranked by what audiences actually watched.
2011

2008

2011

2019

2004

2015

2022

2016

2004

2013

1999

2012

1994